good morning, i'm willie geist, and this is "way too early," the show that was the season six runner-up on "dancing with the stars," edged out to a worthy champion in kristi yamaguchi. i'm glad you're up with us watching or listening live on sirius xm radio. shoot me an e-mail. let me know why you're awake right now. or do what carrie-ann inaba does. followed by a response to 622639. the next 30 minutes will be your cram session for this tuesday, september 21st. a lot to tell you about including new allegations that christine o'donnell used campaign funds to pay her rent. plus, there is nothing better than an intrastate college football mascot brawl. we'll tell you which ohio stuffed animal has been banned for life because of this throwdown.

first let's get to the news live at 5:0 a.m. here at 30 rock in new york city. president obama is reaching out to skeptical voters still reeling from the economic downturn, urging them to stick with him through the crucial midterm elections. in a town hall meeting held yesterday on cnbc, the president responded to questions from some unemployed workers, some recent college graduates and small business owners, all of whom, many of whom, i should say, expressed their frustrations about the state of the economy. >> i'm one of your middle-class americans, and quite frankly, i'm exhausted. i'm exhausted of defending you, defending your administration, defending the mantel of change that i voted for and deeply disappointed with where we are right now. i have been told that i voted for a man who said he was going to change things in a meaningful way for the middle class. i'm one of those people. and i'm waiting, sir. >> i was really inspired by you and by your campaign and message that you brought.

and that inspiration's dying away. it feels like the american dream is not attainable. is the american dream dead for me? >> times are tough for everybody right now. so i understand your frustration. my goal here is not to try to convince you that everything's where it needs to be. it's not. that's why i ran for president. but what i am saying is that we're moving in the right direction. >> yesterday's town hall came on the same day that an independent panel of economists declared that the recession actually officially ended in june 2009. that's by the official definition of the recession. making it the worst downturn since the great depression. those numbers notwithstanding the president acknowledged yesterday that many americans are still struggling. >> even though economists may say that the recession officially ended last year, obviously, for the millions of people who are still out of work, people who have seen their home values decline, people who are struggling to pay the bills

day to day, it's still very real for them. >> during the hour-long event, the president also took aim at the tea party, calling on members to be more specific about how they would cut government spending and rein in the deficit. >> the challenge, i think, for the tea party movement is to identify specifically what would you do? it's not enough just to say, get control of spending. what you can't do, which is what i've been hearing a lot from the other side, is saying we're going to control government spending. we're going to propose $4 trillion of additional tax cuts, and that magically somehow things are going to work. >> while the president was doing all of this, former president jimmy carter was out promoting his book on a media blitz, defending his legacy. the book called "white house diary." but it was his comments to brian williams, host of nbc's "nightly news" that he's now defending as

well. in an interview yesterday, brian williams asked carter if this photo of him, now famous, and his former fellow presidents was symbolic of carter feeling apart from the crowd in his post-presidency. here is carter's response. >> no, i feel that my role as a former president's probably superior to that of other presidents. primarily because of the activism and injection of working of the carter center into international affairs and to some degree domestic affairs, on energy conservation, on environment and things of that kind. so i feel we have an advantage over many other former presidents in being involved in daily affairs that have shaped the policies of our nation and the world. >> it's the line about being superior that got everybody worked up yesterday. after those comments aired, president carter released a statement. that read, "what i meant was, for 27 years, the carter center has provided me with superior

opportunities to do good." nope, sorry. that's just not going to work. meanwhile, president carter was also on "the daily show" last night where he actually did not address his superior comment, but he did weigh in on delawa delaware's republican senate candidate, christine o'donnell, and her past admission that she dabbled in witchcraft. >> i'm completely compatible with the tea party. i haven't been involved in witchcraft. >> right. >> as a young man, i was not 100% against -- >> all right. all right. you don't have to -- >> i didn't mean to embarrass you. >> no, no, no. please. i will say this. was not expecting you to go there. >> those of you that didn't pick up on the joke, that was about christine o'donnell's opposition to masturbation back in the day. a watchdog group is accusing o'donnell of misusing campaign

contributions. yesterday the citizens for responsibility and ethics in washington filed a federal complaint against the tea party candidate, alleging she used funds from an earlier campaign to cover her rent and other personal expenses. during an interview last night, o'donnell said there's no truth to those allegations. >> i was listening to a liberal organization in the first place, they're scared that the person that harry reid called his pet is not going to get the seat. the momentum surrounding this campaign is obvious. that's why they're creating bases -- >> specific -- >> -- i'm confident that we have been ethical. i personally have not misused the campaign funds. >> that story comes as even more footage of o'donnell's past television appearances continue to surface. on youtube yesterday, someone posted a 2007 clip from the "o'reilly factor" in which o'donnell spoke out against cloning, warning companies were producing mice with human

brains. >> they are -- >> all craziness. >> they are doing that here in the united states. american scientific companies are cross-breeding humans and animals and coming up with mice with fully-functioning human brains. >> wow, i didn't know about that. during last night's "o'reilly factor," bill o'reilly himself alluded to that tape. >> i'm trying to be fair to christine o'donnell. she's been on a number of times. and we have some kind of crazy stuff that she said. we're not going to play it yet. i don't think it's relevant yet. we still would like ms. o'donnell to come on "the factor." i'm not in the business to injure her. i'd like to see if she's the better candidate. >> the question is, does it all add up to anything in her race down there in delaware? we'll see. the senate is planning to vote today on whether to end debate on a defense authorization bill that includes a repeal of the nation's don't ask, don't tell law which, of course, bans gays from serving openly in the armed forces.

the vote is expected to be close, but it may pass if democrats can break a republican-led filibuster. however, even if this afternoon's vote, they may introduce an amendment that would move to reverse it. lady gaga joined a rally in maine urging the two republican senators to support the repeal. she got dressed up as a politician, gave a mock stump speech. but in statements issued yesterday, both of those maine senators indicated they would vote with republican leaders to block the measure. and authorities in brazil say more than 100 people were hurt after a section of bleachers collapsed at a car race this week. wow! police still trying to determine the exact cause. some officials believe the bleachers had structural faults that caused them to give way. firemen at the scene also said the company that organized the

event did not call them to inspect the bleachers before the race. ugly scene there. let's take an early look at the markets as we get all up in your business this morning. cnbc's anna edwards is live in london. good morning, anna. >> good to see you, willie. it looks as if september continues to be a pretty strong month for equities in the u.s. and globally. actually, yesterday was a strong day on wall street. in the month of september is turning out to be pretty positive. we spent much of the spring and the summer worrying about debt levels in certain countries around europe and worrying about whether we'd see a double dip for the u.s. economy. well, in many cases we're still worried about those issues, but we've managed to put them to one side for the moment. we've seen a really strong rally in september, which is now entered into its fourth week. yesterday the dow closed at its highest level since may the 13th. so perhaps at least a turn in sentiment as we headed into the fall. looking ahead, we have the federal reserve deciding on monetary policy for the next month. that's taking place today. that's going to be a key date, a

key moment for markets in today's session. we're not expecting any change in interest rates from the federal reserve. most economists we've talked to are not expecting the fed to increase the amount of quantitative easing or bond buying that the fed is doing on their own balance sheet. but we will be looking for any clues as to the future direction of the u.s. economy and what the fed could do if they need to to step in to try and improve things. keep an eye out for that. the futures currently suggesting that we'll see some pretty mixed trading ahead of that fed decision later on today. willie, back to you. >> anna edwards, thanks so much. we appreciate it. still ahead, "monday night football" comes down to the very last play as the defending super bowl champ new orleans saints battle the niners in san francisco. they needed every last tick on the clock to settle this one. highlights ahead. plus, bristol palin in her highly anticipated debut in the ballroom. the reviews are in and, well, sounds like she may be resting comfortably back in wasilla very soon.

"dancing with the stars" and a check on weather when "way too early" comes right back.

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we can get the next one. i'd like to get your advice on hedging - risk... exposure. what makes us different? for 300 years we've chosen to focus on our clients. what a novel idea. 5:44 in the morning. beautiful shot of the capitol building in washington. let's get a check on your weather now from nbc meteorologist bill karins. >> summer just will not end. this is going to be ridiculous. temperatures are going to be very warm. not so much in the northeast or out there in the northern plains but much of the country remains unseasonably hot. this is supposed to be football weather. these friday nights have been very hot lately for everyone in the south. look at this morning. we're starting off with temperatures in the low 70s. almost all the way up to chicago.

this isn't how we're supposed to be this time of year. it kind of figures. it's been one of the hottest summers ever that we've ended on a hot string. as far a in kansas city. these temperatures are easily ten degrees hotter than they should be. we'll be in the 90s around cincinnati and memphis and louisville. temperatures in the deep south just as warm. a cool start in the morning up in new england. temperatures are chilly. but this afternoon will be gorgeous. boston to new york, high temperature with low humidity around 70 to 75. but tomorrow will be the one day where the heat will return. we will see probably one of the warmest days we're going to have till next summer or next spring. the temperature willi be 82 in boston. i think you can get one more day with the cut-off jean shorts. >> i'll see you there, bill. thanks so much. turn to some sports now, "monday night football," 49ers hosting the super bowl champion saints. in the second quarter, alex smith of the niners, a 12-yard

touchdown pass here to frank gore. the saints were up 9-0. niners cut into the lead, 9-7. third quarter now, drew brees hits david thomas. three-yard touchdown pass. a little slant in there puts the saints back up, 16-14. scary moment in the fourth quarter for the saints. he kept possession, but he had to be carted off the field. he did score a touchdown prior to this. he did not return to the game. they're doing tests on that knee. 49ers showing a little fight. they were down by eight points late in the game. but they marched back. frank gore here. this time running the ball in. a seven-yard touchdown. they go for two points here that will tie the game. smith finds, yes, vernon davis, one of the best tight ends in the business. play ruled on the field no good. but overturned in the replay booth. they called it incomplete on the

field. they looked at it for a while. they gave him the touchdown. so the game it tied at 22-22. a thriller now. next possession, drew brees, a 30-yard completion. a key completion to marques colston. this sets up this, 37 yards. it was partially blocked at the line of scrimmage. but it still made its way sideways through the goalposts. saints, drew brees leading the team back down the field. they spoil the 49ers' home opener. saints win, 25-22, in a great game. baseball now and a me believe baseball now and a memorable night at yankee stadium. honoring george steinbrenner. joe torre back as they unveil a monument to steinbrenner in monument park alongside the biggest name in yankee history, his widow, joan, unveiling the monument. to the game now.

curtis granderson has turned it on in the last couple months. a two-run home run gives them the 2-0 lead. he was not done. in the bottom of the sixth after the yankees surrendered ee eed lead, he puts them up 8-4. they win 8-6, now a 1 1/2-game lead over the rays in the anc.l east. why is it always philly? remember this one? we had to show you again. earlier this season, in philadelphia. a man tasered by a security guard. that's tough. well, we've got another one of those moments. in last night's braves/phillies game, a fan wearing a red spandex suit. ooh! goes onto the field. he gets away from security but braves' outfielder matt diaz literally steps in and takes down the masked man. just a little trip and a hip check there. after the game, diaz said, i saw this idiot coming right at me. i figured he'd be better off

getting tripped than tased because he knows fans in philly get tased. nice play by that young man. finally, the best action from college football over the weekend may have happened before kickoff in a case of mascot violence. take a look. ohio playing in-state rival ohio state at the horseshoe. okay, that's the ohio mascot, a bobcat, rufus the bobcat of ohio university runs onto the field and tries to tackle brutus buckeye. this is in columbus at ohio state. he's doing this on brutus' home field. it doesn't stop there. rufus follows brutus into the end zone, touching off a wrestling match. ohio state university -- ohio university, excuse me, now apologizing for the behavior of rufus the bobcat. says the student who was dressed as rufus now has a lifetime ban from all school athletic events. shame on you, rufus the bobcat. coming up at the top of the hour on "morning joe," president

jimmy carter outdoes himself, this time declaring his post-presidential life, quote, superior to that of other presidents. you'll hear carter's unconvincing attempt to walk that one back. and when we come back here, we will huddle around the water cooler to drop in on sarah palin's "dancing with the stars" viewing party. as daughter, bristol, gets down against the likes of the situation and the hoff. complete team coverage when "way too early" comes right back. ♪ [ male announcer ] what if clean sheet day became clean sheet week? new ultra downy april fresh has scent pearls that give you a whole week of freshness with just one wash. ♪ and from day 1 to day 7, ultra downy april fresh lets you climb in to more freshness than this other fabric softener. so why settle?

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♪ today transportation experts, safety advocates and police will meet in washington to discuss the best way to prevent americans from using their cell phones while behind the wheel. the summit takes place as pretty stunning new statistics are released. if you want to sound smart today, tell your friends that distracted driving crashes, those involving cell phones and texting, were responsible for one in every six highway deaths last year. that's 16% of all road fatalities. that's according to the national highway traffic safety association which says that drivers in their 20s are most likely to be involved in a fatal crash tied to distraction. just don't do it. all right. enough of the real news. let's gather around the water cooler to talk about the mindless trivia you're really interested in, trivia like the

new season of "dancing with the stars." and that means, of course, bristol palin, daughter of governor sarah palin, leading a "star wars" ekz collection of celebrities on the dance floor. they were doing the waltz, the cha-cha. governor palin actually not in the house. some people thought she'd be there in the front row. turns out she was holding a viewing party back home in wasilla. the proud mama grizzly watching her daughter from alaska. let's listen in. bristol talking cha-cha. >> boom. silly. yes. don't tell me you can't do it, bristol. only have a few days left. only have a few days later, and go balls out. >> if i can only do half of what he taught me, bring sexiness and don't embarrass my mom. >> i didn't see it. watched some of the highlights. trust me, me judging dancing, no, sir. it wasn't as good as maybe some of the other ones. you know who was even worse?

my man the situation from "jersey shore." he's pumping the fist. that's kind of all he's got. he's up there pumping the fist. he's got the tan and the abs and the whole thing going, but technically maybe not such a good dancer. again, who am i to judge. but that's what the experts are telling me. he did get a little competition out there from carol brady. florence henderson is on "dancing with the stars," mrs. brady. she laid down the gauntlet to the situation. check this out. >> look out, mr. situation. you're going to get a 12-pack here. >> no! make it stop. t.j., take it down. that's carol brady challenging the situation's six-pack with her 12 -- do we have a split of their abs? just to -- no? she's 76. give her a break. the situation's, like, 25. let's go back to christine o'donnell just for a moment. remember everyone dug up that old clip from bill maher, talking about the witchcraft. said she went to a midnight

picnic with a satanic altar. well, you know what? she's really drawn the ire of the wiccan community with her statements. let me read you a quote from the reverend salina fox. she said this in the statement. any political candidate that's going to equate witchcraft in satanism is ill informed, not likely to get the support of people involved in nature religion. america really needs to be a place where you can celebrate diversity and practice your religion without getting ridiculed or defamed. she says the kind of things you're saying now, well, in high school, you were with despicable characters. despicable characters. wiccan. so i guess you can rule out the wiccan vote. still ahead on "way too early," why are you awake? your egregious texts and e-mails are next. and "morning joe" is now just moments away. match airlines. i can take one airline out... and another home. so with more flight options, i can find the combination that gets me there and back quickest.

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